Improvement in rein-holders



E..MEARS.

REIN-HOLDER.

Patented Nov. 7,1876'.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIGEQ EPHRAIM MEARS, OF ATTICA, INDIANA.

IMPROVEMENT IN REIN-HOLDERS.

Specifica-tion forming part of Letters Patent No. 184,096, datedNovember 7, 1876; application led August 21, 1876.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, EPHRAIM MEARs, of Attica, in the county of Fountainand State of indiana, have invented a new and Im proved Rein-Holder, ofwhich the following is a speciflcation:

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 represents a front view; and Figs.2 and 3 are, respectively, vertical transverse and horizontal sectionson lines x :v and y y, Fig. 1, of my improved rein-holder.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Theinvention has reference to that class of devices by which the reinsare securely' retained intheir position when not used by the driver, andthe invention consists in the improvement of rein-holders, ashereinafter described.

ln thedrawing, A represents a suitable frame that is attached to thedash-board, supportin grod or other part of the carriage. rI he frame Ais provided with a longitudinal recess, a, with beveled sides, towardwhich the upper part of the frame is rounded oli' to admit the readyintroduction ot' the reins. A \/-shaped follower or wedge-piece, B, ispivoted at the lower end to frame A, so as to swing readily into therecess a, being retained in the same by a spring, B', pressing on oneside of the follower B, and by a transverse brace, C, at the oppositeside, that holds it ush with the frame A. Projectingside lugs b ofrecess a secure the followerB against lateral displacement by thelaction of the reins. The upper end of the follower B is tapering orpointed,

to facilitate, in connection with the roundedoff part ofthe frame A, theslipping in of the reins at both sides of the follower. The lower end ofthe follower, retaining-lever., or presserbar is provided with aprojection, d, which enters a recess, c, in the plate e, being heldtherein by the spring B. Said projection and recess form the pivot orjoint of the follower, and will permit the ready detachment of thelatter from the supporting-plate by simply removing the spring fromcontact with the follower. '.Ihe follower holds the reins drawn in fromthe top, in tight manner, the pressure thereon being increased thegreater the strain exerted on the reins. By pulling the reins back thefollower clears the recess of the frame and admits the ready detachingof the reins.

The rein-holder may be made of wood or metal, and of suitable ornamentalshape, ac'- oording to the style Vof the vehicle to which it is applied.

I am aware that it is not, broadly, new to use a spring-pressed pivotedplate for retaining reins between the same and a stationary relativelyarranged as herein set forth, for the purpose specified.

EPHRAIM MEARS. Witnesses:

THOMAS P. CAMPBELL, JOHN J. GLAYPooL.

